Dominant former USC star Steve Johnson impressed in defeat, he put a massive scare into #10 seed Almagro, saving match points, one with a winner that tagged the baseline corner lines. An agitated and confused Almagro looked extremely relieved when it was finally over, barely holding off the formidable American in five hard fought sets. Johnson’s serve and forehand are lethal weapons.
Ryan Harrison scored a big win over Colombian Giraldo, who held a 2-0 head to head edge. Trouble looms for Harry though as he must face ATP #1 Djokovic next. Djokovic looked perfect in straight setting Mathieu.
Highest seeded American Sam Querrey won in four sets and stated his goal is top 10.
Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams looked as good as ever routing their opponents. They will meet in the third round.
Lleyton Hewitt big hopes were shattered as he was dismantled in straight sets by Tipsarevic. Could it be the final Australian Open for the former #1?
Aga Radwanska continued her perfect form in 2013, with a straight set win vs. Bobusic. The #4 ranked Polish woman has won two tourneys this year and not dropped a set. She said her goal this year is #1.
Madison Keys made good on speculations that she is a future top 10 player with a straight set win vs. Dellacqua.
Brian Baker edged Bogomolov in five sets. He meets Querrey next.
Ferrer, as expected, hammered Rochus in straight sets.
Kei Nishikori lost the first set to veteran Hanescu but rebounded to dominate the Romanian.
Sam Stosur, sporting the most muscular shoulders and biceps of day one, survived a tough challenge from Chang of Taipei, who is ranked around 100 but already has a 3-2 record vs. top 10 players.
remember the name · Steve Johnson
Mitch · January 14, 2013 at 10:02 am
I told you Hewitt couldn’t hang with Tipsarevic for more than a couple of sets. I wonder if this will be his last year on tour.
Steve · January 14, 2013 at 10:16 am
Scoop, will you be buying a Hewitt C’mon shirt from his clothing line?
Just a year ago he beat Raonic in a very entertaining match. I like seeing Hewitt out there as long has he enjoys competing.
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2013 at 11:02 am
Steve, those shirts are hideous, wouldn’t wear it if you gave it to me. Didn’t see the match but Hewitt looked slow vs. Delpo at Kooyong. He’s hitting the ball great, especially some of those angle backhands but his movement looks too slow and labored. Tips is in his prime. Tennis is a young man’s game. Hewitt’s wheels have a lot of mileage. His game declined when he lost the step.
Dan markowitz · January 14, 2013 at 11:41 am
Wait a second, if Baby Hew looked “slow” in beating Delpo, how come you were picking him to win the whole enchilada? And no ones told Fed and Ferrer, both 31, tennis is a young man’s game or Serena. Anything more than 27 is conceivably old in this sport.
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2013 at 3:42 pm
I did not pick Hewitt to win the title, Djokovic is my pick for the grandslam this year.
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2013 at 9:38 pm
BTW here’s my Biofile with Tips: http://www.thebiofile.com/2013/01/janko-tipsarevic-biofile/
Steve · January 15, 2013 at 8:46 am
Good biofile on Tips. I didn’t know he was a fan of Fed & Henin.
I don’t think Brands is going in to engage in a slice battle with Tomic. I see Brands powering through to victory.